by Reform UK achieved a record level of polling support on 1 March, gaining 14 percentage points in the latest YouGov survey.
Meanwhile, the party’s recent performance in the Wellingborough and Kingswood by-elections, where it won 13 per cent and 10 per cent of the vote respectively, suggests that the poll success is being backed by real-world support.
As Richard Tice’s party grows in popularity, Telegraph readers have been voicing their support for Reform. Many explain why the Conservatives failed them and give their reasons why they plan to vote for Reform.
‘I pray that the Restoration will make this country great again’
According to YouGov, Reform currently holds 21 per cent of those who voted Conservative in 2019. Telegraph readers are impressed by the Reform manifesto and discuss the policies they think will drive positive change in the UK.
Reader John Elsby He will be voting Reform because he “wants a party that will control immigration and abandon the net zero nonsense”. He continues: “I want the police to enforce the law. I want the NHS to spend their money on patients and get rid of all the cross and diversity spending.”
The same, Richard Long Reform will also vote. He joined the party early last year after being a lifelong Conservative voter and member.
“The Tories wanted to raise National Insurance for low-wage workers, raised taxes to their highest level since the Second World War, fired anyone with sense (Suella Braverman and Lee Anderson) and, worst of all, was in charge of the eye-popping record. watering down legal immigration by 1.2 million per year.”
He claims that “only a complete idiot would continue to vote for this left-wing version of the Tories. I will never believe the Tories or vote for them again as long as I live, Reform UK for me from now on.”
Reader Rob Smith he tells how he “never voted for anyone but Conservative” but the Reformers will “get my vote this time”.
“I particularly like the nil tax band going up to £20,000. I’m an additional rate taxpayer so I won’t benefit from it but I believe £20,000 is a fair amount to earn before tax and should remove the need for the ridiculous in-employment benefits.”
He says there is a lot to say in their manifesto and they are eager to implement it, because “the country needs real change”.
Comparable, Carole Meers she explains that she can no longer “give a precious vote to the Tories” and will be voting for Reform.
“I understand we will have to put up with a Labor government but I hope it won’t be for too many years. I pray that the Restoration will go from strength to strength and that it will soon have a chance to make this country great again.”
‘Neither the Tories nor Labor speak for the silent majority of the British people’
Other readers suggest that a Reform vote could mean a fresh start for the country and is the best solution to defeating the current two-party system.
Reader Ashley’s excited says: “Reformation seems to be the only party with any vision to rebuild this country from the ground up.
“With Richard Tice as leader and the passion he has for this country, there is a good chance they can pull us off the scrap heap.”
Another reader, Sidney Logan, agrees, and says that Reform speaks for the “quiet majority of the British people”, unlike the Tories or Labour. “Sunak is becoming a master of what he thinks is the right sound bite, but he’s barely keeping up with the action.”
The same, Sue Norman she explains how she has “voted Conservative in every general election since 1983, because not only were they miles better than Labour, but they were also good for the country”.
She continues: “They are no longer a net plus for the UK. And there is no credible prospect that they will become so. In such circumstances, the UK’s only hope is a realignment of the Right, which is why former Conservative voters must vote for Reform.”
‘The Tories have cynically betrayed their core electorate’
Many readers feel betrayed and neglected by the Conservatives and plan to vote Reform in protest.
Telegraph reader Jim Harrison Argues: “The Conservatives have betrayed their traditional supporters and must be punished.”
He continues: “It may mean a Labor government but a new party may emerge in the medium term with a better understanding of what the country needs to take over when Labor falls apart. “
The same, C Erksine says: “I will vote Reform because of the government’s total betrayal and abandonment of Tory principles.”
Reader PJ Sperini he notes, “Reformation is the only obscure party on the Center Right that supports the hard-working population”.
“The Tories have comprehensively embraced the insanity of the woke, cynically betrayed their core electorate and destroyed the oldest political party in the UK and arguably the world. It is a tragedy beyond words.
“Unsurprisingly, many former Tory voters have turned to Reform – which is now close to the critical mass of support needed to win seats – and perhaps enough to make a real impact. Only those committed Tories believe that a vote for Reform is a wasted vote.”
